Daily Devotions
Mark
Acts 3:21 "Whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." Acts 3:21"
Day 310 – Mark 14
“Whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:21
WHO WAS “THE YOUNG MAN”?
We have an intriguing text that seemed almost out of place.
“Now a certain young man followed Him,
having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body.
And the young men laid hold of him, and he left the linen cloth
and fled from them naked.”
MARK 14:51-52
Tradition identifies this young man as none other than John Mark, the author of this gospel. Much may be said for holding fast to this tradition. It would make even less sense of noting this incident of this “young man” if it had been other than the author himself. Mark saw himself as one of those who was scattered as the Shepherd was struck.
GRAVE ILLEGALITIES
As a rule, the Sanhedrin Council, never met at night, let alone conduct a trial as important as this one. This rule and many others would be blatantly broken over the next few hours! Such was the depth of hatred for Jesus.
“And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him
were assembled all the chief priests, the elders and the scribes.Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against
Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. For many bore false
witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.
Then some arose up and bore false witness against Him, saying,
‘We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands,
and within three days I will build another made without hands.”
But not even then did their testimony agree.”
MARK 14:53, 55-58
1. False witnesses were sought!
2. False testimonies were allowed!
CHOOSING DIGNIFIED SILENCE
Any other person would have cringed at the vehement and virtually visible hatred that surfaced. The usual response would at least be one of vigorous denial.
“And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying,
‘Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?
But He kept silent and answered nothing.”
MARK 14:60-61A
Was there a need to even dignify these accusations with a rebuttal? Jesus chose dignified silence. The contradictions of the testimonies spoke for themselves. They would never be able to accuse Him of any wrongdoing.